The people’s votes have been counted and they have counted. Gen. Buhari has defeated Pres. Jonathan to become Nigeria’s next president (if you can’t wait till May 29th, you can call him the president already). Looking closely at an election that, in some way, had the sanity of Nigeria’s teenage-old democracy depending on it, here’s what can be learnt:
Learn to Keep Your Word.
President Goodluck Jonathan before the polls had promised to take whatever results that came out of the polls in stride. Out the results came. Some Nigerians had voted for him, more had voted for his opponent. He kept his word, swallowed the bitter pill of defeat, went an extra mile to call his opponent and congratulate him (dousing the country-wide tension in the process) and in the course made himself a hero of democracy. What a man!
Try, Change Your Strategy then Try Again.
In 2003, Gen. Buhari contested to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He lost. He tried again in 2007 and he lost. The same happened in 2011. Then he changed his party (in the real sense, he merged his party with some others) and then tried again. As a result, he maintainted his regular strongholds, won the states he’d usually lose; he’s Nigeria’s latest president, has become the only Nigerian to upset an incumbent president (democratically speaking of course) and will be one of the only two Nigerians to rule Nigeria twice. So much for not giving up eh?
Be Wary of Your Team Players.
While collation of results were on-going, a certain former minister and elder statesman ( a representative of PDP at the collation centre) took to the stage and started an accusation spree. Maybe he had legitimate issues that needed attention but the way he went about it wasn’t the best for his team and for Nigerian democracy. He damaged his own image and also painted the whole team in a way that wasn’t so palatable.
P.S: I heard he apologised but the deed has been done right?
Be a Leader By Example.
INEC was tasked with the job of conducting the closest-ever-contested election Nigeria had ever experienced (well, it’s usually their job so there was no running away from this one). The chairman of the commission, who would have had most of the pressure was as calm as, well, whatever is the calmest to you. He dealt with every issue raised with a calm tone, rarely raised his voice and was as meticulous as possible (sometimes making the calculations himself!) Whenever a Returning Officer (most of whom were notables in Nigeria’s academia), after reading out the scores, walked up to him on the ‘high table’ to present the result sheets, everytime he stood up, collected them and thanked them gracefully.
What do you think? Did you learn some things that aren’t listed here? Why not share with the world in the comments section below. Allergic to the comments section? You can follow me on twitter @rotdav and let’s share views.
Please note: All posts on this blog are meant to entertain, inform and educate members of the public. Any statement made by an interviewee on this blog (and statements not personally made by the author) is strictly the responsibility of that person who makes the statement, and not meant to ridicule or expose any person to public odium. We hereby apologize for any inconveniences suffered.
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